Rock Island daily Argus., 1887-09-17

fCopyrighted nv the American Press Association
At the corner ot the alley of Montalais,
which descend, to the lake, and at two steps
from the woods of the Vile d'Avray, some
fifteen years ago, behind its clematis vines
and other climbing plants stood the prettiest
and most cuqrIettiSh lit. country house
possible to imagine The Villa Montalais, as
it was called, had been bought few years
previous by NJ Roger Laroque, well known
mechanical engineer, whose workshops were
situated in St Aaur street, and who bad, he
sides, an apartment on the Boulevard Males
herbes, at No III
In the winter he inhabited his apartments,
and in summer be took refuge, with his wife
and daughter, at Vile Il Avray, but every
morning his business called him to Paris, to
his shops in St Maur street, and there he
breakfastedi, but returned in the evening at
about 2 O'Clock to dinner, a habit of life
quite ordinary with rarisians who, during the
summer, divide their existence in two parts,
the day for Paris, the night for the country.
On the evening which affords the COM
mencement Of our story, in July, 1872, at s
o'clock, quite at variance with his usual
habit, Roger Laroque had not yet returned
The dinner WAS waiting. In the parlor,
where two windows op,ued out upon the ter
race, and in the dining room there was no
one to be seen, and oIre would have declared
the house unnhabited, so calm and quiet it
seemed in the midst of the silence of the fad
ing light
Still, at the left of the parlor, two voices
whispered. On that side was Mime, La
roque's sleeping apartment, even still deeper
plunged in the fast coming darkness. No
light burned, neither lamp nor candle Two
voices, one superb, grave and sweet, of such
timbre as would cause you to love the speaker
without even seeing her, and the other, in
fantine and crystal iii its childish music
They were the voices of Mime Henriette La
rogue and her little daughter, Suzanne Mime,
Laroque drew all easy chair near the window,
which was partly open, and seated herself
there, drawing Suzanne close to her.
This evening they awaited the coming of
Laroque with Impotence and the very cot
tage, with its prufuslon of flowers and festal
appearance, seemed To be surprised at this
silence and solitude. It was Suzanne'S seventh
birthday, and she was the only child, little
spoiled by the alteration of her father, and
now, since the day before the mother was
trying to teach her a pretty little speech
which she was to make to her father upon his
return. They were pretty little words of
welcome and grateful love, and so they sat
here in the darkness whispering them over
and over again, that they might not be for
gotten.
The half hour past struck, and Henriette
made gesture ci surprise
"Your father will not dine at home this
~ III
to wait any longer"
They went into the lining room Mime
Laroque rang and ordered that dinner be
served. There We're Al the villa but three
servants-a coarhmal- cook, and a maid
whose name was Victoria and who had been
but two days in her service The dinner was
silent one, for in spite of herself a vague
sentiment of fear oppressed the heart of the
young wife. Two or three times before
Roger had been retarded hut he had always
telegraphed.
This evening, no news Why They re-
turned to the bedroom Another hour
dragged by Roger dil not come Henriette
sat distracted by the window, crouched in the
deep recesses OF the easy chair Victoria
wanted to bring lights but she opposed. Ten
o'clocki
"Are you asleep, darling" asked Henrietta
mo, mamma" answered the child, whose
eyes were wide open.
"Don't you want to go to bedn
@Oh, no; want to wait and kiss papa
when he comes"
Henriette, prey to anxiety, stepped out
on the balcony and leaned upon the rail, look
ing downward towards the road which Roger,
coming from the cars, habitually took.
Suzanne, standing beside her, looked also.
The night was very warm, without cloud.
The Villa Montalais was separated from the
Vile dAvray by gardens and trees Oppo-
site 1t, in the chestnut grove, little to the
left, was a neat little house, with green
blinds, which stood directly on the street,
while the villa, on the contrary, was separated
from the street by lawn, constantly re-
freshsd by a little fountain This cottage was
lighted, and the open windows showed a room
furnished with mahogany, having table in
the middle and at the back a sort of secre-
tary desk, pushed up against the wall Al
this instant II O'Clock sounded and Henriette
felt cold shiver of apprehension run oveI
her, and she interlaced her hands with fear
At this instant man of medium height
passed through the lighted room and seated
himself at the secretary which he opened
They could see him distinctly, and Henriette
and Suzanne looked at him 1t was the &C
cupant of that cottage, and his name wa
Laronette
A0ur new neighbor has returned, said tb'
little girl
The man had taken from his coat a pocket
book and had emptied and spread ont befor
and rolls of gold pieces, apparently a fortune
which he began to arrange methodically
counting and recounting with visible pleasure
Henriette and Suzanne saw his profile only
bis back being turned towards the entranc
to his room. They heard the first quarter rim
on the church clock
Henriette bent over her child and kisse'
her forehead.
II will call Victoria to undress you and pu
you In bed" said she
"Oh, mamma, one minute more. Pap
cannot be much longer
"No, dear, it Is very late You will b
tired"
And the young mother stepped aside an
touched the heil Victoria not answering q
once, she rang again and returned TO til
balcony. The moon sh"ne pure IN seren
sky. Opposite, the neighbor with slow an
circumspect movement and avaricious enjoy
ment, counted hls gold and notes Victori
came In.
@Light lamp and the night light" sal
Henriette, land then come and take Suzanne
AT the same instant the little girl leane
over the balcony clapping her hands, laugh
ing and calling:
"Papa, papa! We have been waiting fc
you. did not go to seep.n
And man came IN the street, fe'
PAGES from there. He was tall, and wore
light gray hat, and was dressed in a ligt
radinpote oo,a avo,.